A maternity hospital outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A maternity hospital outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a strain other than EMRSA-1 is described. In contrast to previously documented outbreaks, which have usually centered on special care baby units, this outbreak mainly involved the routine ante-natal and postnatal wards. Thirty-seven mothers, 18 babies and nine staff were affected over a 6-week period. The high turnover of very mobile maternity patients and the open-plan design of the hospital influenced the course of the outbreak and adversely affected implementation of infection control measures. Significant environmental contamination and a very high rate of maternal perineal MRSA colonization were notable epidemiological features.